The 
Drive of St. Mihiel 

Q 

"Lest We Forget" 

Copyrighted 1921. 
By HAROLD P. WILDER. 



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HAROLD P. WILDER, Author and Publisher, 
235 School St., Somerville, Mass. 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIH1EL 







M 21 1921 



Price: Sixty-Five Cents. 

Fowler Printing Co., 8 Marshall St., Somerville, Mass. 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 




NTRODUCTION. In the value of the eloquent quotation of 
"LEST WE FORGET," the scenes of the World War in 
which the mortal arms of American Soldiery brought victory 
home to one hundred millions of American people, and with the devout 
patriotism always remaining in our hearts, sometimes stilled, but time 
and again quickened to action thru the reminiscences of something gone 
before, is the reason of publishing this book. 

In a new way of literary expression and the high character of 
reading, which the American public in it's serious thought demands, the 
author of this book has endeavored to bring forth in the literary art of 
poetry such expression of the first great victorious offensive action of 
American arms in the World War; "The Drive of St. Mihiel," which 
the entire world can regard with literary esteem — Well done, Americans. 

THE AUTHOR. 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



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OTES. The author, while a member of the A. E. F. had the 
good fortune through previous efforts in literature and news 
paperwriting to become a guest of the A. E. F. 3d. A. E. F. 
Press Special in a tour and inspection of the entire A. E. F. in France 
and Germany and into the British area of occupation, Cologne, Germany 
during the month of May, 1919. In the interest of the public service 
—By authority from General Pershing's Headquarters, G. H. Q., Chau- 
mont, France. 

Believing honor above all things on earth, the author offers in 
this book only the truth of the subject. The only enlargement whatso- 
ever is the literary style 

The author does not take the subject from the aftermath of this 
individual conflict from hearsay, but was present and witnessed nearly 
all facts as portrayed in the entire battle. 

In affectionate regard for all members of the Fifth Division, 

U. S. A., who elected me the first Massachusetts Secretary, Society of 

the Fifth Division, Veterans of the World War, I, with due appreciation 

for this honor, designate the first edition of this book as The Fifth 

Division Edition. 

HAROLD PAUL WILDER. 



©CLA605469 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



IGHTY streams of laden vans 
Along the broad highway, 
Moving slowly thru the darkness, 

Taking chances 'till the dawn of day. 
Something great was planned, 

A goal to find. So said the high command. 
Watchword ! ready, thru the night 

Massed again for another fight. 
The minutes passed ; the hour came— 

A pause, and then the roar of fame : 
A mighty din upon the wind 

That made the forests reel- 
In the drive of St Mihiel ! 



THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



TIT was one A. M. September twelveth 

And a thousand cannons roared; 
They blazed away in the darkened night 

Toward the fated Prussian hoard. 
They deafened even the tongues of men 

As they gave out loud commands ; 
But they were the engines of warfare 

Adhering to war's demands. 
Theirs was the mission of carrying on- 
Carrying on until early dawn, 
'Till the infantry went over the top. 

Hell let loose ! would they never stop ? 
Nay, counter attack and duty too— 

The gunners knew just what to do ; 
Yes, and I know how they feel. 

In the drive of St. Mihiel ! 



THE DRIVE OF ST. MIH1EL 



TpROM above Verdun, down the lengthy front 

The battle raged it's dread desire, 
Mighty flares that lit the skies 

As each bellowed rumble spoke with fire. 
Not a thing could barely live at all 

As each shell shattered in it's fall 
Wonderful woods and ploughed up plain 

Peppered; the Yanks were at it again! 
Despite the camouflage and all, 

The foe could not conceal 
In the drive of St Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIH1EL 



^(HD VER and at em the dou £ hbovs y eIled » 

And over they went and in spirit excelled 

Clearing the dugouts smashing thru wire, 
They were in glory, thru mud and mire. 

Did a man delay there? No! not one- 
Fighting like mad 'till the work was done. 

Hither and tither o'er hill and dale, 
Rattling their guns 'till it sounded like hail. 

Resounding the echo in loud repeal; 
So went the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



^SCATTERED the foe if they lingered still, 

Combated and driven by mighty will. 
Driven east at a rapid pace 

Changed the scenes from fight to chase. 
Four weary years had the enemy held the field 

Now turned and fled, once more to yield, 
Swept by the tides of circumstance 

They fought as men will for a final chance; 
For the might of right was herald 

Of the victors of the day, 
On the page of history sets their seal 

In the drive of St. Mihiel ! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



A NOTHER phase of the famous day 

Was those tanks as they clattered on their way- 
Rattling their guns at the frightened foe; 

They are a great machine if they do run slow. 
In and out and over each trench, 

Ploughing their way thru wire fence. 
They were fighting fiercely for the land of France 

As over No Man's Land they danced. 
Clearing the traps as they loomed in sight 

Belching with fire all thru the fight. 
A crown to him who mans the wheel 

A crown to the man at the gun. 
Fame to the noble beasts of steel, 

As onward they fought the fight and won 
In the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



ET a hush come over the scenes review, 
Peace reigns for a certain gallant crew. 
It was up by the famous Bois du Four— 

They ran their steely beasts of war. 
Sons of freedom, flowers of France: 

Those noble young men were taking their chance. 
Fate was against them, the beast struck a mine 

Demolished it's frame in unknown design. 
Beneath the grassy mound in uniform of blue, 

Gone, tho' ne'er forgotten, fighters staunch and true. 
Watched at night by the moonbeams dance 

'Neath the starlit skies of France. 
Ever in memory's beauteous thought. 

Ever regarding just how they fought. 
Glorious their name in valerous zeal 

In the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



A LL alone in the darkened night 
Fearless, steady, thru the fight. 
Carrying orders to and fro, 

Scanning the path, the way to go. 
The messenger on duty bound 

Flitting along without a sound. 
Knowing of danger that lingers near 

Careful and watchful with eyes so clear. 
Pondering on his final goal, 

Dodging shells to save his soul. 
Mingling pride and gay delight 

As he dashed thru woods without a light. 
Now and then a thought of home 

And the former woods he used to roam. 
Sleepless, tired, yet at his best 

With official secrets in his breast. 
Clearly his vision of duty's demand, 

The whole of his being a Yankee brand 
Proud of his service for freedom's land. 

A clinch to his fist as he swung his hand. 
Straightway he entered a destined place, 

Delivered the papers with glowing face. 
Service supreme of a soldier-real 

In the drive of St. Mihiel! 



THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



TfN the grumous trench worked land 

The bombers enter with master hand. 
Hurling grenades at every gap, 

Vivid bursting and flrey snap. 
Thrust upon thrust with their strong right arm 

Like the strength of Apollo, sure and calm. 
Swiftly the missies fly thru the air 

Forcing the Prussians to utter despair. 
Down in the shelters they silently creep 

Catching the foe in hollows — deep. 
A marvelous task for a fighter to hold 

Unmasking traps from camouflaged mold. 
Clearing the way for troops to advance 

There in that shattered sector of France. 
Doing their bit in such fanciful weal 

There, in the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 

[TRASHING with speed thru the atmosphere, 

Darting about as a foe drew near; 
The birdman acts in his battle plane 

Dauntless and eager in might and main. 
More supple than bird as he flits thru space, 

Wizard of wings in sensational race. 
Climbing thru heights toward heaven's granduer. 

Turning great circles at each searching tour. 
Whirling about in spirally motion, 

Charging the air with peculiar comotion. 
Birds of a feather, eaglets of flights 

Skimming along at tremendous heights. 
Whirring their motors, echoing loud 

As they dip behind a snowy cloud. 
Enticing the enemy, slow to appear, 

Then swiftly do battle as they draw near. 
Risking their lives beneath the skies, 

Bringing to earth their enemy prize. 
A crown to him at the pilot's wheel 

A crown to the man at the gun; 
Eyes of the army every one 

In the drive of St. Mihiell 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



A UTOCRACY crumbled before the assault 

Of our forces which held no fault. 
Straightway they hastened a rapid retreat 

Harrassed by our men right at their feet. 
Clearing fhe salient of all the foe, 

Capturing thousands as they go. 
Leaving behind their four years claim- 
Americanism had made it's name! 
Crushed by the strength of our fighting force 

Behold their retreat on a homeward course! 
Straight toward the famous gates of Metz 

Defeated and broken and fleeing hence. 
Two hundred and forty square miles of land 

Delivered at last by our forceful demand. 
Acres of wealth and forests supreme. 

Hundreds of farms and many a stream. 
Now once more 'neath the flag of France, 

Freed from the hated Tyrants' lance. 
Glory to God, the way we feel 

After the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. M1HIEL 



/pAMPED 'neath the brightly starlit sky 

We laid to rest with a gentle sigh. 
Tired and weary, but faces aglow 

There on the fields as the soft winds blow. 
Victory around us we fell asleep; 

Into the oblivion of slumbers deep. 
Forgetting the hardships and care and strife 

That comprise a fighting man's strenuous life. 
A satisfied mien all over our faces 

As we slumbered on in our grassy places. 
Dreaming sweet thoughts of that far off home 

And those dearest friends we left alone. 
Glad in our hearts that we stood the test, 

Realizing in truth, we had done our best. 
There was a scene, a picture — real 

After the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MJHIEL 



A LL awake close after dawn 

On the bright and following morn.. 
Ready to start on the big advance 

Over that former salient in France, 
Over the shell torn, riddled roads 

On, we proceeded with heavy loads. 
Following up the defeated foe. 

Ready to keep them on the go. 
The masses making a great array 

On the congested highway all the day. 
A masterful thought forevermore 

Of that great gathering machine of war. 
Victorious, marvelous; the might of right- 
Guardians of freedom from out the fight 
The army united, divisions secure 

For liberty's purpose forever endure. 
On the altar of fame shall be their seal 

After the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



TT JTTERLY conquered on that battle field 
No other course, but forced to yield. 
The enemy failed in this attempt to score 

A permanent place in this field of war. 
Consequently armies just broke and fled 

With stern commanders at their head. 
Threatening Nancy? no — nevermere; 

There, in place each conqueror. 
Driving the foe to the Meurthet Moselle 

Still within reach of shot and shell. 
Slowly the enemy gave way 'neath advance 

Gradually leaving the land of France. 
Shattered, forlorn, in vain their attacks 

Americans everywhere at their backs. 
Quelling the force of a tyrant power. 

Making the rescue in a decisive hour. 
Crushing the tyrant fist of steel 

After the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. M1HIEL 



TT O, the tramp of thousands along the broad highways 

Entering famous cities amid acclaim of praise. 
Coming to enfold them 'neath the skies of France, 

Under flags of freedom after our advance. 
Into the famous city of Saint Mihiel 

Long enslaved 'neath the serpents' heel. 
Breaking the bond of the four years seal, 

Freed by the turn of destiny's wheel. 
Flowing the try-color to the breeze; 

Welcoming the soldiers from over the seas. 
Proclaiming the leaders men of the hour, 

Clanging the bells from the old church tower. 
More excellent spirit was ne'er displayed 

As the columns passed as if on parade. 
Triumphant, exultant, once more to be free 

The city of France forever to be. 
Chiming the bells as they loudly peal 

After the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



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NTO ancient St. Hilaire, pushing the forward line- 
Facing the Woevre valley just in time. 
Southward the front to the river Moselle 

Keeping the foe under fire of shelL 
Northward, the line afacing Etain 

Making a margin of goodly gain. 
Bombarding the enemy seat of war, 

Driving them back to their very door. 
Making their forces in utter disorder 

Fall back in retreat toward their own border. 
Threatening Metz from the south and west; 

The enemy failing at every test. 
Massing their reserves without avail, 

Cutting them off from supply and rail 
Conquering Mars and his fist of steel 

After the drive of St. Mihiel ! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. M1HIEL 



*^0U know we Yanks stormed old Mihiel 

For many miles around! 
We kept the ball arolling good 

Until the goal we found! 
We kept adriving at the foe 

And always had them on the go. 
We were out to fight and win 

And make the enemy lines grow thin. 
To drive them from the seat of war! 

To down the Kaiser for evermore! 
To smash the lines of Hindenburg 

And force him from the field; 
Breaking all records in making speed. 

O'ercoming the foe as we took the lead. 
From out the salient, victors all! 

Forcing the enemy to the wall. 
A milestone bright in the world's great war. 

An achievement of fame evermore; 
For the master stroke of zeal 

In the drive of St. Mihiel! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 



•TpHE great Red Cross on a field of white. 
A glorious emblem when'ere a fight. 
A service so noble, so high, so dear; 

The call of it's arm so pure and clear. 
Gentle, it's work in the field of battle, 

Tho' cannons roar and machine guns rattle. 
Bearing the wounded one by one. 

Doing their duty without a gun. 
Helping a soul where'ere they can— 

A living Christ to the heart of man. 
Doing a kind deed, acting a part, 

Theirs is a wonderful kind of art. 
Doing the same for friend or foe, 

Wonderful the seed they always sow. 
They shall reap and ne'er conceal 

The splendid deeds enacted 
In the drive of St Mihiel ! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. M1H1EL 



'np'HE Salvation Army forever it's name. 

The gift of it's service we'll always acclaim. 
Angels of comfort with unceasing care— 

For the fighters; they do and dare. 
Passing a word of gladdening cheer, 

Driving away all shadows of fear. 
Keeping in style with merry smile 

Just for the fighters all of the while. 
Mighty, courageous without a doubt, 

Driving dull care completely to rout. 
Strong young women, girls, perchance, 

Doing their work in the fields of France. 
Spirit of our Democracy 

On foreign fields for liberty. 
Giving each man a fair helping hand. 

They are a faithful and loyal band. 
Serving the soldiers a good tasty meal 

There, in the drive of St. Mihiel ! 



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THE DRIVE OF ST. MIHIEL 

jT JNDER the skies of azure blue. 

Under the stars of France. 
Under the sod and misty dew. 

Under the sunbeam's glance; 
The fallen heroes rest in peace 

Their fame and valor never cease. 
Calmly awaiting the trumpet call 

And the roll of judgment day. 
Sacrificed on the field of battle : 

For the cause, they gave their lives away. 
Answering the call of a patriot's heart. 

Giving their all to do their part. 
Forever their deeds in battle fame. 

Forever be glory to their name. 
Crusaders all from beyond the sea; 

From the land of hope and the gallant free. 
Oblivion shall never enshroud thy rest. 

Memory ever shall make thee blest. 
The roll of honor will hold thy name 

In the land of Liberty, on the altar of fame, 
E'erlasting the memory of your zeal 

In the drive of St. Mihiel! 

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